Phishing remains one of the most potent threats to enterprise security—undermining SMS-OTP, email codes, and app-push MFA by tricking users into surrendering credentials. To defeat these attacks, organizations must adopt phish-resistant MFA, anchored in standards like FIDO2 and modern user experiences such as Passkeys. Below, we explore why and how enterprises should transform their authentication posture, and how eMudhra’s platform delivers scalable, enterprise-grade identity security.
Phishing exploits human trust to capture one-time passwords, session tokens, or even hardware-token codes. Attackers deploy:
Fake websites soliciting OTPs or passwords
Malicious proxies that relay valid credentials
Session-harvesting tools post-authentication
Conventional MFA still relies on shared secrets (passwords, OTPs) that can be intercepted or reused. Phish-resistant MFA replaces those secrets with cryptographic keys bound to a specific origin (URL or app) and device, making credential theft—and replay—impossible.
No Shared Secrets
Private keys never leave the authenticator; public keys alone live on the server.
Origin Binding
Authentication challenges are cryptographically tied to the legitimate domain or application context.
Challenge-Response
The authenticator signs a server-issued challenge, preventing replay or proxy attacks.
Hardware or Biometric Assertion
User presence is guaranteed via a physical security key (e.g., YubiKey) or built-in TPM/secure enclave biometrics.
No Manual Credential Entry
Eliminates phishing vectors that rely on user typing or copying codes.
FIDO2, developed by the FIDO Alliance and W3C, comprises:
WebAuthn API (browser-based registration & authentication)
CTAP (Client-to-Authenticator Protocol for external keys & mobile authenticators)
How It Works:
Registration generates a public-private key pair on the user’s device.
Authentication signs a server-provided challenge with the private key.
Verification uses the stored public key to confirm user identity—no shared secret needed.
Supported on nearly all modern browsers and platforms, FIDO2 enables robust, phishing-resistant, passwordless access for web, desktop, VPN, and API endpoints.
Passkeys (Apple’s iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, Microsoft Authenticator) extend FIDO2 with seamless credential sync across devices:
Passwordless: Users authenticate with Face ID, fingerprint, or PIN—never entering passwords.
Cross-Device: Passkeys sync securely via OS keychains, enabling login on new devices without manual enrollment.
Device-Bound Keys: Private keys remain protected in secure enclaves or TPMs.
For enterprises, passkeys eliminate credential fatigue and strengthen assurance, all while integrating with existing IAM/SSO frameworks.
Bridge non-WebAuthn apps via FIDO2 Relying Party SDKs or eMudhra’s authentication gateways.
Simplify key/device enrollment through self-service portals and helpdesk orchestration.
Satisfy NIST 800-63B, PSD2, HIPAA, GDPR via centralized audit reporting and adaptive MFA policies.
Integrate eMudhra’s MFA platform with Azure AD, LDAP, SAML, OIDC, and on-premises infrastructure.
eMudhra’s MFA solution delivers end-to-end phishing resistance across every access vector:
FIDO2 & Passkey Enrollment for browsers, desktops, and mobile apps
Hardware Token Support (YubiKey, smart cards, TPM-backed authenticators)
Adaptive Policies: Risk-based step-up, geo-fencing, device posture checks
Universal Integration: LDAP, Azure AD, SAML/OIDC, VPN, RDP, Kubernetes
Credential Lifecycle Management: Self-service recovery, lost-device workflows, revocation
Post-Quantum Roadmap: Crypto-agile support for hybrid classical/PQC schemes
Already deployed in finance, healthcare, government, and telecom, eMudhra combines global best practices with local compliance for a seamless, future-proof identity fabric.
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Sector |
Use Case & Outcome |
|
Banking & Finance |
Replaced OTP-based login with FIDO2; 40% reduction in phishing fraud within six months |
|
Healthcare |
Biometric MFA for EMR access; compliance with HIPAA-mandated phishing-resistant controls |
|
Government Portals |
Passkey-enabled e-services with non-repudiable authentication, boosting citizen adoption and trust |
|
Telecom & Utilities |
Adaptive MFA for field engineers on shared devices; eliminated credential reuse across teams |
|
BYOD-Heavy Enterprises |
Secure passkey login on personal devices without MDM lock-ins; improved user productivity and security |
These directives extend beyond government: critical infrastructure, financial services, and healthcare providers must comply to reduce risk and retain federal partnerships.
Key metrics to evaluate your phish-resistant MFA program:
eMudhra provides built-in analytics and compliance reporting to help you track these KPIs and optimize continuously.
As workforces become more distributed, authentication must evolve from “what you know” to “what you have”—a private key on a trusted device. Passkeys, secure enclaves, and decentralized identity models will soon replace passwords entirely, enabling:
Ready to eliminate phishing risk once and for all?
Partner with eMudhra to deploy phish-resistant, FIDO2- and Passkey-based MFA that scales across your enterprise—securing every login, every transaction, and every user for today and tomorrow.